Instructions
Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. There are different types of questions, so be sure to follow the directions for each section. Good luck, future astronomer!
Section 1: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
- What is at the very center of our Solar System?
- a) The Earth
- b) The Sun
- c) The Moon
- d) Jupiter
- How many planets are in our Solar System?
- a) 7
- b) 9
- c) 8
- d) 10
- Which planet is the largest?
- a) Saturn
- b) Earth
- c) Jupiter
- d) Neptune
- Which planet is often called the "Red Planet" because of its rusty-colored dust?
- a) Venus
- b) Mars
- c) Mercury
- d) Earth
- What is the name of the beautiful planet famous for its bright rings?
- a) Saturn
- b) Uranus
- c) Jupiter
- d) Mars
- What is the Sun?
- a) A planet
- b) A moon
- c) A comet
- d) A star
- Which planet is closest to the Sun?
- a) Earth
- b) Venus
- c) Mercury
- d) Mars
- What do we call a large, natural object that orbits a planet?
- a) An asteroid
- b) A star
- c) A moon
- d) A spaceship
- What is the name of the force that keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?
- a) Speed
- b) Light
- c) Magnetism
- d) Gravity
- Which is the smallest planet in our Solar System?
- a) Mars
- b) Mercury
- c) Earth
- d) Venus
- What is the name of the planet we live on?
- a) The Moon
- b) Mars
- c) Earth
- d) Sol
- What surrounds the Earth and protects us from harmful rays from the Sun?
- a) The ocean
- b) The atmosphere
- c) The rings
- d) The clouds
Section 2: Planet Order
The planets are listed below in order from the Sun, but some are missing! Fill in the blanks with the correct planet name.
- Mercury
- (13) ____________________
- Earth
- (14) ____________________
- Jupiter
- (15) ____________________
- (16) ____________________
- Neptune
Section 3: True or False?
Read each statement. If it is correct, write "True." If it is incorrect, write "False."
- The Sun is the biggest star in the entire universe. __________
- Stars are giant balls of hot, glowing gas. __________
- A group of stars that forms a pattern in the sky is called a constellation. __________
- A "shooting star" is actually a star falling from the sky. __________
- A galaxy is a huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars. __________
- The North Star is also known as Polaris. __________
- Astronauts travel to space in rockets and spaceships. __________
- Gravity completely disappears once you are in space. __________
- Black holes are so powerful that not even light can escape them. __________
- Venus is the hottest planet in our Solar System, even hotter than Mercury. __________
- All planets in our Solar System are made of solid rock. __________
- The Moon makes its own light, which is why it glows at night. __________
Section 4: Match It Up!
Draw a line from the word on the left to its correct description on the right.
|
29. Rainbow 30. Cloud 31. Crescent Moon 32. Full Moon 33. Cumulus 34. Moon |
A natural satellite that orbits the Earth. A puffy, white cloud that looks like cotton balls. A collection of tiny water droplets in the air. An arc of colors that appears in the sky caused by sunlight and water. When we see the entire lit-up side of the Moon. A curved, sliver shape of the Moon. |
Section 5: Short Answer
Write your answer on the line provided.
- What gas, found in Earth's atmosphere, do we need to breathe?
__________________________________________________ - What color is the hottest type of star?
__________________________________________________ - What motion of the Earth causes day and night?
__________________________________________________ - What is the name of our home galaxy?
__________________________________________________ - What two things are needed for a rainbow to form?
____________________ and ____________________ - What do you call the path that a planet takes as it travels around the Sun?
__________________________________________________ - What do you call a scientist who studies stars, planets, and space?
__________________________________________________ - What is the name of the giant, long-lasting storm on Jupiter?
__________________________________________________ - In what order do the colors of a rainbow always appear? (Hint: ROY G BIV)
__________________________________________________ - What is a light-year a measure of? (Time, Speed, or Distance)
__________________________________________________ - Which planet is the coldest in our solar system?
__________________________________________________ - What is it called when water falls from clouds as rain, snow, or sleet?
__________________________________________________ - What shape is the Earth's orbit around the sun? (Circle or Oval)
__________________________________________________ - What are clouds made of?
__________________________________________________ - What is the name for the different shapes the Moon appears to be in the sky?
__________________________________________________ - What is the largest object in our solar system?
__________________________________________________
Answer Key
Section 1: Multiple Choice
- b) The Sun
- c) 8
- c) Jupiter
- b) Mars
- a) Saturn
- d) A star
- c) Mercury
- c) A moon
- d) Gravity
- b) Mercury
- c) Earth
- b) The atmosphere
Section 2: Planet Order
- (No answer needed)
- (13) Venus
- (No answer needed)
- (14) Mars
- (No answer needed)
- (15) Saturn
- (16) Uranus
- (No answer needed)
Section 3: True or False?
- False
- True
- True
- False (It's a meteoroid burning up in our atmosphere.)
- True
- True
- True
- False (There is much less gravity, called microgravity, but it's not zero.)
- True
- True
- False (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are gas giants.)
- False (It reflects light from the Sun.)
Section 4: Match It Up!
- 29. Rainbow → An arc of colors that appears in the sky caused by sunlight and water.
- 30. Cloud → A collection of tiny water droplets in the air.
- 31. Crescent Moon → A curved, sliver shape of the Moon.
- 32. Full Moon → When we see the entire lit-up side of the Moon.
- 33. Cumulus → A puffy, white cloud that looks like cotton balls.
- 34. Moon → A natural satellite that orbits the Earth.
Section 5: Short Answer
- Oxygen
- Blue
- Rotation (or spinning)
- The Milky Way
- Sunlight and Water Droplets (or rain/mist)
- Orbit
- Astronomer
- The Great Red Spot
- Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
- Distance
- Uranus
- Precipitation
- Oval (or ellipse)
- Tiny water droplets or ice crystals
- Phases of the Moon
- The Sun